Because of a recent interest, of a just a couple people in this blog, I've decided to add of few more posts. A lot has happened in the last year and I may go into so of all of it, I will saw that MOST of it has nothing to do with my health or my heart transplant. For this one, I decide to post the text of the Thank You letter I have written to my donor family. I will give this letter to my transplant coordinator at my next clinic appointment and she will pass it on the family. The whole process is initially anonymous.
It may seem like 3 1/2 years is a long time to write this letter. However, I was not ready. Because of the sudden and unexplained nature of my illness and how quickly I got my transplant, it has taken me a long to to even begin to wrap my head around what has happened to me. I've finally reach a point where I could write such a letter late last summer. I wrote the letter. I felt that it was important for me to hand write the letter. So I decided I needed proper stationary and a proper pen. Yes, I was delaying and I don't know why. It is a short letter, hand writing it took about 10 minutes but it has taken me months to actually sit down and do it. I cannot explain why I was procrastinating. Tonight, I finally did, now all I have to do is remember to bring it with me on my next clinic appointment, which I have yet to schedule.
Anyway, here is the text.
Dear Family,
I hope that this letter finds you well. My name is Michael. On September 24, 2008 after a devastating illness, I received the amazing gift of life in the form of a heart transplant.
"Thank you" is an expression which is used quite often and sometimes just in passing. This is a different kind of "Thank you." It is a "Thank you" that defies any language. How can mere words express the gratitude that I feel for your loved one and you. Still, I would like to thank you for your generosity in giving a part of your loved one to me. I am very sorry for your loss.
Since my transplant I have made an almost full recovery, despite a few complications. My new heart beats strong and I consider it my greatest duty and pleasure to live my life to its fullest in honor of my donor.
Although, I feel the words are not adequate. Thank you.
Love
Michael
